Mining machine



June 28, 1932. c w v 1,864,785

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l ILUQTLOJ" Giulia/7717' diio yzeg June 28, 1932. c. F. WILHELMI 1,864,785

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a I I I N 17 v N June 28, 1932.

C. F. WILHELMI MINING- MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 2, 1928 June 28, 1 932. c w L 1,864,785

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1, Jami 7b)" Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT osrics CHARLES F. WILHELMI, OF HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I MINING MACHINE Application filed August 2, 1928, Serial No. 297,069. Renewed December l, 1930.

has to be removed by hand either at the mine face or outside at the tipple. My invention eliminates this hand operation and provides a means to gather and'load these slate or dirt cuttings.

Where there are no dirt bands in the seam the device in my invention may be advantageously used to gather and load the coal cuttings instead of the dirt'in the same manner used to load the slate or dirt'cuttings. Be-

sides gathering and loading the slack coal,

, cuttings, my invention will tend to eliminate the free coal dust in the mine air while cutting, by collecting and loading said dust and slack cuttings as they are propelled from the kerf by the cutter chain. This prevents the scattering of the cuttings into the mine atmosphere which is especially dangerous where the cutter bar is cutting above the mine floor.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a top plan view of thedevice embodied in my invention;

Figure 2 is a left side view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of the device shown in Figure l with parts in section to more clearly show the details of construction; V. v I V V Figure 4c is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 in cutting position with the cutter bar sumped into'the coal;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward portion of the device shcpwn in Figure 1 with the cutter bar omite Figure 6 is a fragmentary front view of the device shown in Figure 1 withparts broken away and in section;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View of Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is afragmentary sectional view taken on line 99, of Figure 7 Figure 10 is a plan view of the device embodied in my invention cutting in long face room work; and

Figure 11 is a plan view of the device embodied in my invention making an arcuate cut in advancing narrowroom work.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the device embodying by invention comprises a mining machine 10 of the well known overcutting type, having means ap-- plied thereto for gathering and conveying the cuttings away from said machine and depositing said cuttingsin amine car or other suitable receiving device.

The mining machine 10 comprises a truck 11 supported on axles 12 and wheels 13. An auxiliary supporting frame or turntable 14 is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis near the forward portion of the truckll and has suitable means thereon for supporting a cutting element 16. Herein said supporting means comprises a plurality'of vertically extending supporting arms 17, 17, having racks 18, 18, thereon. Pinions 19, 19, on the cutting element 16 mesh with the racks 18. These pinio'ns are connectible with a motor 20 on said cutting element through any suitable gearings means (which need not be described here since it is no part of my invention) for vertically moving said cutting ele-' ment in the racks 18 to provide a means for cutting horizontal kerfs at a plurality of elevations with respect to the mine bottom. The supporting frame or turntable'lt is also rotated by suitable gear reduction means from a motor 21 on the rearward portionof the truck 11 in the well known manner of machines of this type. Therefore, when the V supporting frame or turntable 14 is rotated the cutting element 16 is moved in an are which in turn provides a means for sumping a cutter bar 22 projecting from said cutting element and having a cutting chain 23 movable thereabout into the coal face in a usual manner.

The cutter bar 22 is provided with a slot 24 in the central portion thereof extending substantially the length of said cutter bar. A chute 25 is adaptable to extend substantially the length of said cutter bar, and telescope as said cutter bar is moved into the coal. Said chute is made up of four sections 26, 27 28 and 29, which sections are adapted to slide into each other as the cutter bar is moved into the coal. The chute 25 extends above the top portion of the cutter bar 22 and has its rearward section 26 fastened to brackets 30 mounted on the cutting element 16. The section 27 fits and slides in the section 26, and has a stopping means to prevent said section from being pulled out of the section 26. This stopping means comprises a pin 31 on the section 27 sliding in a notch 32 in the section 26. The section 28 fits in and slides in the section 27 and has a similar stopping means comprising a pin 33 sliding in a notch 34 in the section 27. The section 29 similarly slides in the section 28 and has a similar stopping means which comprises a pin 35 fixed to the section 28 sliding in a notch 36 in the section 29. herefore as the forward section is pulled out, it successively pulls out each rearward section until the chute 25 has been extended its full length, and vice-versa as the section of said chute are telescoped with respect to each other.

The'forward portion of the section 29 is fastened to a hanger 37 which extends through the slot 24 in the cutter bar 22 and is'suspended from the central portion of a guide roller 38 which rides on and is adapted to move the length of the slot 24 and serve as a supporting means for the forward portion of the chute 25 in all positions of said chute with respect to said cutter bar.

The section 26 has substantially an open bottom to allow the cuttings to drop into a suitable conveying means 41. The overlapping portions of the sections 27, 28 and 29 Have corresponding openings to leave an opening for the discharge of the cuttings when the chute 25 is completely telescoped and the cutter bar 22 is sumped into the coal. An apron 43 is provided on the for ward end of the section 26 to guide the cuttings into the conveyor 41, and a deflector 44 is provided for the rearward portion of the section 26 to prevent the cuttings from being thrown beyond the conveyor by the force of the cutter chain 23. V

Means are also provided on the forward portion of the chute 25 to bear against the 7 face of the coal as the cutter bar 22 is being sumped into the coal and thus telescope the chute 25 and also take care of the rough uneven surfaces on the face of the coal as the machine is cutting across said coal face and prevent binding of said chute. A yieldable transversely extending material engaging means 45 on the forward portion of the section 29 is herein used for this purpose. Said yieldable material engaging means comprises two material engaging elements 46 pivotally mounted on their inner end at a point 47 near the longitudinal central portion of the section 29. Means are provided to limit the pivotal movement of the material engaging elements 46 which comprise pins 48 fixed to said material engaging elements riding in arcuate grooves 49 on the section 29 and having suitable nuts on each end to serve as a support for said material engaging elements. A cover 50 is provided to prevent dust or dirt from clogging the grooves 49. Springs 51 are interposed between the rearward portion of the material engaging elements 46 and the section 29 to force said material engaging elements against the face of the coal to absorb the shocks as the cutting element is moved into the coal.

It may therefore be seen that these material engaging elements yield to the uneven surfaces in the coal and do not telescope the chute 25 until the springs 51 are fully compressed.

The conveyor 41 entirely surrounds the auxiliary supporting frame or turntable 14 and the cutting element 16 and conforms substantially to the path of the discharge end of'the chute 25. Said conveyor comprises a chain 52 having a propelling means extending outwardly therefrom. Any suitable propelling means may be used, but in this instance said propelling means comprises angle irons 54 fixed to a projection 55 of the chain 52. The rearward portion of the chain 52 is provided with ribs 56 projecting outwardly therefrom. These ribs fit in and ride in a guide 57 on the stationary truck frame 11. This guide conforms substantially to the shape of the forward portion of the truck 11. A pan 58 conforming substantially to the shape of the conveyor 41 extends outwardly from the truck 11. This pan serves to catch the cuttings discharged from the chute 25 and prevents said cuttings from being thrown out of the path of the conveyor by the centrifugal force of said conveyor. The pan 58 is fixed to the truck 11 and its bottom portion serves as a bottom surface for the conveyor 41 and also serves as a means on which to fasten the chain guide 57. 7 Discharge openings 59 and 60 are provided in the pan 58 on opposite sides of the truck 11. Suitable covers are provided to close these openings when not in use. Therefore the cuttings may be discharged through either the opening 59 or 60 depending on the way the mining machine lOis cutting and the direction of travel of the conveyor 41.

The motor 21 drives the conveyor 41 through a suitable geared reduction which comprises a motor pinion 61 which meshes with and drives and idler gear 62 which in turn drives a spur gear 63. The spur gear 63 is freely mounted on a shaft 64. A suitable clutch means which herein comprises a jaw clutch. 65 is provided to selectively connect said gear to the shaft 64 to rotate said shaft, and rotate a bevel pinion 66 keyed .to said shaft. Thebevel pinion 66 drives a bevel pinion 67 011 a horizontal shaft 68. A worm 69 is keyed to the opposite end of a shaft 68 and drives a worm gear 70 on a vertical shaft 71. The lower portion of said shaft is journaled in the truck frame 11. A sprocket73 is keyed to the shaft 71 near the lower portion thereof. Said sprocket meshes with and drives the conveyor chain 52.

An auxiliary inclined conveyor 75 is provided to elevate the cuttings discharged from the conveyor 41 and load said cuttings into a mine car. The-conveyor shown her in is a belt conveyor of the usual construc-' tion having flights 76 thereon and is driven by a motor 77 at its upper end through reduction gears'78an 7 9. A hopper 80 is provided on the lower end of said conveyor to catch a maximum amount of the cuttings discharged from the conveyor 41. A pivotally mounted chute 86 is also provided at the upper end of the conveyor 75 to guide the material discharged from the conveyor 75 into the receptacle in which it is desired to dump said material. The conveyor 7 5 may be mounted on either the right or left hand side of the machine 10 and is detachably mounted to the truck 11 by brackets 81 and 82 on said truck which engage with brackets 83 and 84: on the conveyor 75. Nuts and bolts or any other suitable means may be used to fasten said brackets together and thus hold the conveyor 75 stationary and in place on the mining machine 10.

From this description it may be seen that my invention comprises a cutting machine of the slabbing or overcutting type having incorporated therewith a means to catch and load said cuttings into a mine car. Said invention is especially'adapted for use in cutting dirt hands out of the coal. The cutter chain 23 on the cutter bar 22 cuts into the dirt band and expels said dirt cut from the kerf formed by said cutter chain. This dirt is caught in the chute 25 and emptied into a series of conveyors which deposit these outtings into a mine car or other suitable receiv-' ing device. It may therefore be seen that my invention provides a means of separating the dirt from the coal and conveying said dirt away from the face of the-coal. It may also be seen that my invention may also be effectively used in loading slack coal cuttings into against the face of the coal and the conveyor 7 5 is attached to the right hand side of the machine. The cuttings are propelled out of the kerf by the cutter chain 23 and are caught by the chute 25 where they are emptied into the horizontal conveyor 41 and discharged into the conveyor 7 5 which in turn discharges said cuttings into the pivotally mounted chute 86 which guides the cuttings into a mine car 85.

Similarly, in Figure 11 the device described in my invention is making an arcuate cut in a narrow room or entry. It may here be seen that theconveyor 7 5 is on the left hand side of the machine, but that the cuttings are gathered and loaded into the mine car the same way as in Figure 10. 3

While I have illustrated anddescribed one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction .or arrangement of the various ,parts may be altered or changed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limits ing myself to the particular form shown, excepting as it may be limited by the appended claims.

. I claim as my invention:

v1. In combination with a track mounted mining machine, a cutting elementadaptable to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall at various elevations with respect to'the mine bottom, a cuttings-gathering chute extensible substantially. longitudinally of said cutting element and telescopic within itself be neath said. cutting element, and yieldable transversely extending 'material engaging means at the outer end of said chute. 2. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a cutting element having a slot therein extending substantially" longitudi- 3I Incomhination withakerf cutting mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinallyextending slot therein, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot,

and a movable cuttings gathering chute supported on said hanger.

' 4. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, and a telescopic cuttings gathering chute supported on said hanger.

5. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, and a telescopic cuttings gathering chute extending beneath and to each side of said cutter bar and supported on said hanger.

6. In combination with a kerf cutting min ing machine. a transverse cutter bar having a "cutter chain moving thereabout, a longitudinally extending slot in said cutter bar, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, and a telescopic cuttings gathering chute extending beneath and to each side of said cutter chain and supported on said hanger. V

7. In combination with a lrerf cutting mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, a telescopic cuttings-gathering chute supported on said hanger, and yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said telescopic chute adapted to bear against the face of the material mined as said cutter bar is cutting a kerf in the mine wall.

8. In combination with a rerf cutting mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinallv extending slot therein. a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, a telescopic cuttings-gathering chute supported on said hanger. and yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said telescopic chute adapted to bear against the face of the material mined comprising a plurality of yieldablc material engaging elements pivotallv mounted on the forward portion of said chute adjacent each side of the longitudinal center line thereof.

9. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a horizontally disposed cutter her having a cutter chain moving thereabout, a longitudinally extending slot in said out ter bar, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending clownwardly through'said slot, a telescopic cuttings-gathering chute extending beneath and toeach side of said cutter chain and supported on said hanger, and yieldable material engaging means on the forward, portion of said telescopic chute adapted to bear against the face of the material mined.

10. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a horizontally disposed cutter bar having a cutter chain moving thereabout, a longitudinally extending slot in said cutter bar, a guide roller movable in said slot having a hanger thereon extending downwardly through said slot, a telescopic cuttings-gathering chute extending beneath and to each side of said cutter chain and supported on said hanger, and yieldable material engaging means on the forward portion of said telescopic chute adapted to bear against the face of the material mined comprising a plurality of yieldable material engaging elements pivotally mounted on the end of said chute at their inner ends.

11. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, an arcuately movable cutting element adaptable to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine wall thereon, a telescopic cuttings gathering chute beneath said cutting element and movable therewith and extensible substantially longitudinally of said cutting element, yieldable transversely ex tending material engaging means at the outer end of said chute, and horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said chute conforming substantially to the path traversed by the discharge end of saidehute.

12. In combination with a track mounted mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, a cutting element mounted on said turntable and adaptable to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a telescopic cuttings gathering chute movable with said cutting element and extensible substantially longitudinally of said cutting element, a horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said chute and disposed in the path of the discharge end of said chute, and means for discharging the cuttings from said horizontal cuttings conveyor on either side of said truck.

13. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, an arcuately movable cutting element thereon. a telescopic cuttings gathering chute movable with said cutting element, horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said chute anddisposed in the path of said chute, discharge means on either side of said truck, and an auxiliary removable inclined conveyor extending from a point beneath either of said cuttings discharge means to a point substantially above said horizontal cuttings conveyor having a pivotally mounted guide chute at its discharge end.

14. In combination with a track mounted mining machine, a cutting element adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in the mine wall at various elevations with respect to the mine bottom, a cuttings-gathering chute extensible substantially longitudinally of said'cutting element and telescopic within itself beneath said cutting element, and yieldable transversely extending material engaging means supported thereon for movement about a verat the outer end of said chute, comprising an outwardly extending material engaging ele ment pivotally mounted on its inner end on the forward portion of said chute adjacent each side of the longitudinal center line there- 16 of and yieldable means for engaging said material engaging element with the face of the material being mined.

15. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, a cutting element tical axis forcutting a horizontal kerf in the mine wall including a-motor having a chain carrying cutter bar extending forwardly therefrom, a cuttingsgathering device sup ported on and extending beneath said cutter bar having a discharge end adjacent said truck forwardly of the pivotal axis of said cutting element, and a horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said cuttings gathering de-- vice conforming substantially' to the path traversed by the discharge end of said outtings gathering device.-

'16. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, an arcuately movable cuttingelement supported thereon for cutting a horizontal kerf in the mine wall including a longitudinally extending chain ,7 carrying cutter bar, a cuttings gathering dev on, a cutting element supported on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto including a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed chain carrying cutter bar, horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck adjacent the outer periphery of said turntable and a cuttings gathering chute supported on said cutter bar and movable longitudinally therealong having a discharge end adjacent said horizontal cuttings conveying means and adapted to discharge material in said cuttings conveying means in all positions of said cutter bar and turntable with respect to said truck.

18. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, a cutting element supported on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto including a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed chain carrying cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein, horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck adjacent theouter periphery of said turntable and conforming substantially to the path traversed by said cutting element when moved with said turntable, support means movable in said 1ongitudinally extending slot in said cutter bar and a cuttings gathering chute supported on said support means for longitudinal movement along said cutter bar having a discharge end adjacent said horizontalcuttings conveying means adapted to discharge mate-.

rial in said cuttings conveyingmeans at various positions of said chute along said cutter bar'and in all positions of said cutter bar and turntable with respect to said truck.'

19. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, a cutting element supported on said turntable for vertical movement with respect thereto including a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed chain carrying cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot' therein, horizontal cuttings conveying means on said truck adjacent the outer periphery,

of said turntable and conforming substan-' tially to the path traversed by said cutting element when moved with said turntable,z

support means movable in said longitudinally extending slot in said cutter bar and'a telescopic cuttings gathering chute supported on said support means for longitudinal movement along said cutter bar having a dis charge end adjacent said horizontal cuttings conveying means adapted to dischargemate j rial in said cuttings conveying means at various positions of said chute along said cutter bar and in all positions of said cutter bar and turntable with respect to said truck.

20. In combination with a kerf cutting mining machine, a truck, a turntable thereon, a cutting element supported on said turntable for vertical movement with respectthereto including a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed chain carrying cutter bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein horizontal cuttings conveying means on' said truck adjacent the outer periphery of said turntable and conforming substantially to the path traversed by said cutting element when moved with said turntable, support means movable in said longitudinally ex tending slot in said cutter bar and a cuttings gathering chute supported on said support means for longitudinal movement along said cutter bar having a discharge end adjacent said horizontal cuttings conveying means adapted to discharge material in said cuttings conveying means at various positions of said chute along said cutter bar and in all posiav tions'of said cutter bar and turntable with respect to said truck and having yieldable material engaging means on the forward end thereof adaptable to bear against the face of the material mined. 21. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cuttin mechanism including a projecting cutter bar mounted on said truck to turn bodily about a vertical axis, an extensible cuttings gathering device carried by said cutting mechanism and extensible beneath said cutter bar for movement with said cutter bar, said cuttings gathering device having a discharge end forwardly of the rearward end of said cutter bar and having a forward end adapted for adjustable contact with the face of the mine wall, and cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said cuttings gathering device and conforming substantially to the path traversed by the discharge end of said cuttings gathering device.

22. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar mounted on said truck to turn bodily about a vertical axis, an extensible cuttings gathering device carried by said cutting mechanism and extensible beneath said cutter bar for movement with said cutter bar, said cuttings gathering device having a discharge end forwardly of the rearward end of said cutter bar and having a forward end adapted for adjustable con tact with the face of the mine wall, cuttings conveying means on said truck beneath the discharge end of said cuttings gathering device adapted to discharge cuttings rearwardly of said projecting cutter bar, and an inclined conveyor extending from a point beneath the discharge end of said cuttings conveying means to a point substantially above said cuttings conveying means.

23. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar mounted on said truck for cutting a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a cuttings gathering device comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute carried by said cutting mechanism and extending beneath said cutter bar, said cut-tings gathering chute being extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar and adapted for adjustable contact with the face of the mine wall.

24. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a proj ecting cutter bar mounted on said truck for cutting a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a cuttings gathering device comprising a telescopic cuttings gathering chute carried by said cutting mechanism and extensible beneath said cutter bar, said telescopic cuttings gathering chute being extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar and adapted for adjustable contact with the face of the mine wall.

25. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a proate the sides of said cuttings gathering chute jecting cutter bar mounted on said truck for cutting a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a cuttings gathering device comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute carried by'said cutting mechanism beneath said cutter bar and extensible longitudinally of said cutter bar, and means on the forward end of said cuttings gathering chute for adjustably engaging the face of the mine wall comprising yieldably mounted transversely extending material engaging means.

26. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar mounted on said truck for cutting a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, a cuttings gathering device comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute carried by said cutting mechanism beneath said cutter bar and extensible longitudinally of said outter bar, and means on the forward end of said cuttings gathering chute for adjustably engaging the face of the mine wall comprising a material engaging element pivotally mounted on said cuttings gathering chute intermediand extending forwardly therefrom, and yieldable means interposed between said material engaging element and said cuttings gathering chute for holding said material engaging element in engagement with the face of the mine wall during the cutting operation.

27. In a mining machine, the combination of a truck, cutting mechanism including a projecting cutter bar mounted on said truck for cutting a horizontal kerf in a mine wall, 0 a cuttings gathering device comprising an extensible cuttings gathering chute. carried by said cutting mechanism beneath said cutter bar and extensible longitudinally of said outter bar, and meanson the forward end of said cuttings gathering chute for adjustably engaging the face of the mine wall comprising a plurality of material engaging elements pivotally mounted on said cuttings gathering chute at opposite sides of its center and l extending outwardly and forwardly there from, and yieldable means interposed between said material engaging elements and said outtings gathering chute for holding said material engaging elements in engagement with the face of the mine wall during the cutting operation.

Signed at Huntington, in the county of Cabell and State of West Virginia, this 23rd day of July, A. D. 1928.

CHARLES F. VVILHELMI. 

